Apparatus for severing fed strands and subsequent handling thereof



May 21, 1963 13.. w. EDWARDS APPARATUS FOR SEVERING FED STRANDS ANDSUBSEQUENT HANDLING THEREOF 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1v

Filed July 17,. 1959 May 21, 1963 D. w. EDWARDS 3,0 6

APPARATUS FOR SEVERING FED STRANDS AND SUBSEQUENT HANDLING THEREOF 2SheetsSheet 2 Filed July 17, 1959 United States Patent 3,090,268APPARATUS FOR SEVERING FED STRANDS AND SUBSEQUENT HANDLING THEREOFDonald W. Edwards, Wilmington, Del., assignor to E. I.

du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.,

a corporation of Delaware Filed July 17, 1959, Ser. No. 827,901 6Claims. (Cl. 83-400) This invention relates to the handling of strandsand, more particularly, to the processing of a plurality of strandsadvancing away from a continuously operating source.

The term strand, as used herein, is intended to include either a singlefilament, a gathered plurality of such filaments, or the threads, yarns,narrow webs, and the like produced from filaments or from staple fibers.

It is well known in the textile industry that a spinning process,wherein filament-forming material is extruded from a spinneret, isnormally not stopped when a defective conditions arises during thehandling steps which follow extrusion. Such defects are usuallyencountered in the form of roll wraps, breaks, or similar defects whichappear in the downstream handling of the strands. Rather than interruptthe spinning process, the practice is for the operator to cut down allthe strands and then introduce them to a fluid actuated aspirator of thetype shown by Miller in US. Patent 2,667,964. Since it is also customaryin the art to have a single operator patrol a multiplicity of spinningpositions, it is obvious that a defective condition may go unnoticed fora considerable period of time with resultant damage to the processequipment and a consequent interference with orderly operatingprocedures. An alternative practice has been to employ sensing deviceswhich function to detect the various defects and to actuate cut-down orstop-motion equipment thereby interrupting the downstream delivery froma given source. The extruded material is then permitted to accumulate onthe floor beneath the spinning position until the operator has had achance to remedy the sensed defect and restore the position to a normaloperating condition. In such equipment, it is customary to provide aseparate cutting device for each of the advancing strands.

The most important object of the present invention is to provide animproved process and apparatus for cutting down and disposing of all thestrands advancing from a spinning position upon occurrence of a defectin one or more of the strands.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of anapparatus in which but a single cut-down device and aspirator arerequired for the plurality of strands advancing from a spinningposition.

A further object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatusin which the cut-down device and aspirator are actuated directly andautomatically in response to an undesirable operating condition.

With these and other objects in view, the apparatus of the presentinvention comprises generally the provision of a support situatedadjacent the path of travel of the strands, severing means positioned atone side of the advancing strands, a gathering hook positioned at theother side of the strands, an actuator for moving the hook across thestrand path of travel toward the severing means, an aspirator positionedadjacent the severing means for withdrawing the severed strands bysuction, and a condition responsive element for initiating move ment ofthe actuator and withdrawal of the cut strands by the aspirator. Theprocess of this invention involves the steps of gathering the strandsinto a bundle, moving the bundle laterally to a severing zone, severingthe 3,690,268 Patented May 21, 1963 2 bundle and removing the severed,continuously advancing strands from the zone by suction.

Further advantages of the process and apparatus of the invention willbecome apparent in the follow description wherein reference is made tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the apparatus of the present invention shownin conjunction with a plurality of advancing strands; and

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, partshaving been broken away and shown in section to reveal details ofconstruction.

In the drawings, a cut-down apparatus has been illustrated whichapparatus comprises generally a support 10, strand-severing means 12, astrand-gathering hook 14, an actuator 16 for moving the hook toward thesevering means, an aspirator 18 for withdrawing severed strands and acondition responsive solenoid valve 20 by means of which actuatormovement is initiated.

A pair of leads 22 couple solenoid valve 20 to a sensing device (notshown) in which an electrical circuit is closed upon the detection of anabnormal operating condition. Valve 2i) admits air under pressure intoone of the conduits 24, 26. Conduit 24 discharges into the actuator 16,which has been illustrated as a double-acting piston-cylinder assembly,through a flow control valve 28. Conduit 24 simultaneously feedsaspirator 18, which may be of the type disclosed by Miller, throughbranch conduit 30. Conduit 26 discharges into the other end of theassembly 16. Hook 14 is attached to the piston rod 32 by an irregularlyshaped arm 34. Arm 34 is apertured to receive a pin 36 which extendsthrough a coil intermediate the ends of hook 114 and through arm 34 intothreaded engagement with a stud 38. Hook 14, which is of a suitablespring metal, has one end anchored in an opening 4b in arm 34. Aplurality of strands, indicated by the numeral 42, is restrained by oneor more fixed guides 44, so that strands 42 pass axially through thearea swept by book 24 in its translatory movement towards severing means12.

The severing means 12 chosen 'for illustration is a plate type kni-fewhich includes a fixed plate 46 and a pivoted knife blade 48. Blade 43is attached to plate 46 by a pin 50 and a nut 52 which acts on a springwasher 54. The pivoted blade 48 is biased to the open position by a coilspring 56 which has one end 58 anchored to blade 48 and its other end 60in engagement with a pin 62 on plate 46. Blade 48 has an abutment 64which is within hte path of travel of stud 38 upon translatory movementof the arm 34 so that blade 48' is closed against the bias of spring 56when a bundle of strands is delivered thereto by book 14. For bestresults, the blades should be of tool steel and the cutting edges shouldbe ground.

After the strands have been severed by blade 48, they are picked up byand aspirated through a tube 66 of aspirator 18 to a suitable wastecollection point.

In operation, therefore, energizat-ion of solenoid valve 20 by thesensing device admits air under pressure to actuator 16 and theaspirator 18 through conduit 24. All of the strands 42, including thosein which no defect has occurred, are gathered by hook 14 and deliveredas a bundle to the severing zone from which the cut strands arewithdrawn by aspirator 18. When the source of the defective strandcondition has been remedied, the operator inactivates the sensing deviceby throwing a laming switch (not shown) which functions to hold valve 2%in the deenergized position. After string-up and the like, the spinningposition is placed in automatic operation by moving the laming switch toa position in which the sensing device is in a ready condition.

The apparatus disclosed herein has utility in conjunction with anyprocessing apparatus wherein one or more strands pass axially betweentwo process points. It may be employed, for example, in the cold drawingprocess disclosed by Sharp in US. Patent No. 2,851,732, in whichinstance the cut-down apparatus is installed at a location where thebundle has been subdivided into smaller bundles.

It is apparent that many changes and modifications may be made in thedisclosed cut-down apparatus without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention which is accordingly intended to be limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

-I claim: a

1. In an apparatus for processing at least one continuously advancingstrand: a support situated adjacent the path of travel of the strand;strand-severing means including a plate fixed on the support at one sideof said path of travel and a blade pivotally mounted on the plate forswinging movement to and from a closed, str-and-. severing position; ahook normally positioned on the opposite side of said path from saidsevering means, said hook being mounted on said support for movementacross said path to the vicinity of said severing means and including apart engageable'with said blade for swinging the latter to said closedposition; an actuator connected to said hook to facilitate its movement;and strand removal means situated adjacent said blade for picking up anddisposing of the severed, continuously advancing strand.

2. In an apparatus for processing a plurality of continuously advancingstrands: a support situated adjacent the path of travel of the strands;strand-severing means on the support at one sideot said path; astrand-gathering element normally positioned on the opposite side ofsaid path, said element being mounted on said support for movementacross said path toward said severing means and including a partengageable with said severing means for its actuation; a fluid actuatorconnected to said element for moving it across said path; a suctiondevice having an inlet positioned adjacent said severing means forpicking up and disposing of gathered and severed continuously advancingstrands; and condition responsive valve means coupled with the actuatorand said suction device for the delivery of fluid thereto.

3. The apparatus or" claim 2 wherein said strandsevering means comprisesfirst and second knife blades respectively fixed to and pivoted on saidsupport, and spring means biasing said second blade to an open positionfor receiving said strands, there being an abutment on said second bladewithin the path of travel of saidpart for pivoting said second blade toa closed position.

4. In an apparatus for processing a plurality of continuously advancingstrands: a support; strand-severing means including a plate fixed on thesupport at one side of the path of travel of the strands and a bladepivotally mounted on the plate; spring means biasing the blade to astrand-receiving position; a fluid actuated piston-cylinder assembly onthe support; a strand gathering hook; means attaching the hook to thepiston of said assembly for movement of the hook across said path towardsaid blade, the latter having an abutment thereon, said attaching meansincluding a stud aligned With the abutment for pivoting the bladeagainst the bias of said spring means, thereby actuating said severingmeans; an aspirator positioned adjacent said knife blade 'for picking upand disposing of gathered and cut continuously advancing strands; and acondition responsive valve coupled with the assembly and said aspire-torfor the simultaneous delviery of fiuid thereto.

5. In an apparatus for processing at least one continuously advancingstrand: a sup-port situated adjacent the path of travel of the strand;strand-severing means mounted on the support at 'one side of said pathof travel, said severing means including a fixed plate and a pivotallymounted knife blade; spring means normally biasing the blade to an open,strand-receiving position; a hook normally positioned on the oppositeside of said path from said severing means, said hook being mounted onsaid support for movement across said path to the vicinity of saidsevering means and including a part engageable with said blade forpivoting the latter to a closed position against the bias of said springmeans; an actuator connected to said hook for moving it across saidpath; and an aspirator having a tube terminating adjacent said severingmeans for picking up and disposing of the severed, continuouslyadvancing strand.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said actuator is a double-actingpiston-cylinder assembly and wherein a condition responsive valve isprovided for simultaneously feeding fluid under pressure to saidassembly and said aspirator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,605,816 Dietrich Nov. 2, 1926 1,963,902 Hires June 19, 1934 1,969,770Taylor Aug. 1.4, 1934 2,384,031 Hudson Sept. 4, 1945 2,563,986 BauerAug. 14, 1951 2,58 ,467 Bailiff Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 769,937France June 18, 1934 543,093 Italy May 14, 956

5. IN AN APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING AT LEAST ONE CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCINGSTRAND: A SUPPORT SITUATED ADJACENT THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE STRAND;STRAND-SERVERING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT AT ONE SIDE OF SAID PATHOF TRAVEL, SAID SEVERING MEANS INCLUDING A FIXED PLATE AND A PIVOTALLYMOUNTED KNIFE BLADE; SPRING MEANS NORMALLY BIASING THE BLADE TO AN OPEN,STRAND-RECEIVING POSITION; A HOOK NORMALLY POSITIONED ON THE OPPOSITESIDE OF SAID PATH FROM SAID SEVERING MEANS, SAID HOOK BEING MOUNTED ONSAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT ACROSS SAID PATH TO THE VICINITY OF SAIDSEVERING MEANS AND INCLUDING A PART ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID BLADE FORPIVOTING THE LATTER TO A CLOSED POSITION AGAINST THE BIAS OF SAID SPRINGMEANS; AN ACTUATOR CONNECTED TO SAID HOOK FOR MOVING IT ACROSS SAIDPATH; AND AN ASPIRATOR HAVING A TUBE TERMINATING ADJACENT SAID SEVERINGMEANS FOR PICKING UP AND DISPOSING OF THE SEVERED, CONTINUOUSLYADVANCING STRAND.